. AM. 

SERI*. 


^5  33 


FUEL 

FOR 

A Sermon  on  March  30th 

And  for  the  mid-week  prayer  meetings  of 

March  26th  and  April  2nd. 


This  material  is  for  the  exclusive  use  of  pastors. 


The  Simultaneous  Every-Member  Canvass 
Campaign  Committee, 

Reformed  Church  in  the  United  States, 
15TH  and  Race  Sts.  Philadelphia,  Pa. 


Suggestions 
For  Your  Sermon  of 
March  30th. 

The  Every  Member  Canvass  is  to  be 
launched  April  6th,  1913.  It  is  essential  to 
the  success  of  the  Canvass  that  a clear,  clarion 
call  be  sounded  forth  from  your  pulpit  on 
Sunday,  March  30th.  Every  pulpit  through- 
out the  Denomination  should  ring  with  the 
message.  Let  there  be  a mighty  chorus 
challenging  the  Church  to  a mighty  task. 

TEXT.  Col.  3:1.  " If  ye  then  be  risen  with  Christ 
seek  those  things  which  are  above." 

Introduction.  The  Easter  theme  was  THE  RISEN 
CHRIST— To-day,  THE  RISEN  CHURCH, 
l’aul  wrote  this  exhortation  to  a Church.  Here  speak 
of  the  relation  of  Christians  to  their  vital  Head. 

1.  A Risen  Church  is  a Spiritual  force. 

Emphasize  its  spiritual  significance.  Its  primary 
purpose  is  the  development  of  character,  the  conser- 
vation and  the  propagation  of  the  life  of  Christ  in  the 
World.  Nothing  can  ever  supplant  or  take  the  place 
of  the  spiritual  function  and  power  of  the  Church. 

2.  A Risen  Church  comes  forth  with  a new  body — a new 

organization. 

To  perform  its  Mission  in  the  world  it  must  be 
thoroughly  and  efficiently  organized.  A body  is  the 
most  highly  organized  thing  in  the  world.  The  Church 
is  the  body  of  Christ. 

Here  enumerate  the  organization  which  has  been 
suggested  in  the  Unified  Plan,  and  in  the  Plan  of  Work. 


3.  A Risen  Church  relates  itself  to  the  General  Work  of 

the  Kingdom. 

Like  its  Risen  Lord  its  life  is  not  confined  any 
longer  to  a locality, — Provincialism  militating  against 
the  Church’s  highest  efficiency  and  service. 

4.  A Risen  Church  expresses  itself  in  a new  life,  in  the 

application  of  new  and  better  methods  of  work. 

The  Church  is  a living  body.  It  needs  to  conform 
to  tried  and  tested  methods  to  perform  its  Mission. 
It  has  the  power  of  adaptation — its  glory  Old  methods 
are  no  longer  adequate.  They  served  their  purpose. 
New  conditions  demand  new  methods.  Churches 
are  frequently  wrapped  in  the  grave  clothes  of  anti- 
quated methods.  Loose  them  and  let  them  go! 
The  Every-Member  Canvass — one  of  the  new 
methods. 

WHY  A CANVASS  ? 

1.  The  growing  work  of  the  Church  demands  it  ? 

a.  The  work  of  Home  Missions. 

(See  “ Bird’s  Eye  View.’’) 

b.  The  work  of  Foreign  Missions. 

(See  “ On  the  Firing  Line.’’) 

c.  Other  Benevolences. 

(See  “Other  Benevolences  Explained  ’’; 
also  “ Best  Business  on  Earth.”) 

2.  The  newer  opportunities. 

a.  Religious  cooperation.  Taking  our  place 
among  the  united  forces  of  Christendom. 

b.  Our  national  and  world-Avide  responsibilities. 

c.  Perils  and  promises  of  Immigration. 

Adequate  provision  for  this  expanding  work  and 

these  newer  opportunities  must  be  made. 

WHAT  THE  CANVASS  WILL  DO? 

1.  Will  unify  the  entire  membership  in  a definite  task. 

Says  W.  T.  Ellis:  “The  reflex  influence  of  all 
this  new  planning  and  activity  is  naturally  great. 
Interest  follows  investment.  This  stimulated  activity 
inevitably  results  in  an  increased  membership.  All 
this  adoption  of  modern  methods  by  the  denomination 
forshadows  the  increase  of  the  power  of  the  laity." 


2.  Will  keep  membership  in  personal  touch  with  each 

other. 

Envelope  method  supplanted  personal  touch  of 
deacons  with  the  members.  This  Canvass  restores  it 
— a great  gain. 

3.  Will  do  away  with  continual  appeals  for  money  from 

the  pulpit. 

Will  introduce  an  automatic  supply  of  revenue 
for  all  purposes  and  will  leave  the  pulpit  free  for 
more  spiritual  purposes. 

WHAT  OTHERS  HAVE  DONE. 

(See  literature  already  sent  forth.) 

A multitude  of  churches  testify  that  their  income 
has  increased  from  20  to  100  per  cent,  by  changing  to 
a weekly  pledge  basis.  And  this  not  only  in  industrial 
centers  but  among  the  well-to-do.  Rural  churches 
everywhere  are  introducing  the  plan,  asking  a weekly 
pledge  equal  to  a dozen  eggs,  two  pounds  of  butter 
or  a bushel  of  wheat. 

SHOULD  A CHURCH  MEMBER  MAKE  A 
PLEDGE? 

Always.  All  earthly  landlords  rightly  insist  on 
a written  agreement  in  advance.  The  tenant  promises 
(say)  one-half  of  the  crop  or  three  dollars  cash  per 
acre.  The  Landlord  and  Creator  of  all  wealth  has  a 
right  to  certain  terms.  The  Jew  paid  between  two- 
and  three-tenths  of  his  income.  The  American 
Christian  who  will  not  pledge  a tenth  of  his  income 
should  pledge  at  least  a cash  amount.  Besides,  the 
Church  Boards  need  to  know  in  advance  what  it  will 
have  to  spend,  just  as  does  a School  Board.  Every 
lodge  has  its  definite  uniform  fees,  but  in  the  church 
each  should  pledge  according  to  his  ability. 

EVENTUALLY-WHY  NOT  NOW? 

Already  there  is  a movement  on  foot  on  the  part 
of  many  other  Denominations  to  carry  into  effect  such 
a canvass  in  their  own  bounds. 

It  is  on  the  way.  Shall  we  cooperate  ? Do  we 
feel  the  thrill  of  new  life  ? Shall  our  Church  be  a 
Risen  Church  ? 


"With  Prayer  or  Not  at  AH." 


Sugges- 

tive 

Material 

for 


THE 

CAMPAIGN  PRAYER  MEETINGS 

FOR 

The  Canvass  in  April  for  Missions  and 
Other  Benevolences. 


Prepara- 
tory to 
the 

Canvass 


We  are  facing  the  hour  of  greatest 
opportunity  as  well  as  responsibility  in 
A Special  the  history  of  the  Reformed  Church. 
Call  of  the  Therefore  let  us  fray  that  our  Church 

/"*  A # , A 4r\ 

may  rise  up  to  her  greatest  strength. 
Without  prayer  we  must  fail,  with  prayer 
success  is  certain. 

(a)  Prayer,  with  the  view  to  (b)  Service. 

1 . The  whole  congregation  together  in 
prayer.  “ These  all  continued  with  one 
accord  in  prayer  and  supplication."  Acts 

Every  Mem-  j . ^ 
ber  Present 

2.  Attendance  secured  through  assist- 
ance of  Missionary  Committee  and  can- 
vassers by  personal  effort. 

Everybody  I.  Choose  stirring  hymns. 

Take  Part  2.  Read  Scripture  responsively. 

3.  In  addition  to  audible  prayer,  pro- 
vide for  silent  prayer  to  be  participated  in 
by  all  present. 

4.  Keep  discussion  to  the  point. 


Prayer 


Aim 


Theme 


Application 


Conclusion 


Wednesday.  March  26. 


A CALL  FROM  TWO  WORLDS. 


I. 


2. 


The  Nature  of  the  Call. 
The  Master’s  call  from 
Heaven. 

The  Call  of  our 
brothers  on  Earth. 


Go  ye  into  all 
the  world  and 
preach  the  Gos- 
pel to  Every 
Creature  — Mk. 
• 6 : 15. 

“ Come  over 
and  help  us.” — 
Acts  16 : 9. 


II.  The  Master's  Instructions  in  Obeying 
the  Call. 

1.  His  own  example.  Prayer  pre- 
ceded action.  Action  followed  prayer. 

2.  Tarry  in  Jerusalem,  Luke  24 : 49. 
Spiritual  preparation  is  necessary. 
During  January,  February  and 
March  the  church  has  been  making 
the  spiritual  preparation. 

3.  From  Jerusalem  unto  the  uttermost 
parts  of  the  earth.  Acts  1 : 8. 
Prayer  must  result  in  action. 

In  April  let  us  do  what  the  Lord  expects 
of  us  in  answering  our  daily  prayer  " Thy 
Kingdom  Come.”  The  Canvass  is  an 
opportunity  to  do  so. 

" Pray  as  though  all  depended  upon 
God  and  work  as  though  all  depended 
upon  us.” 


Wednesday.  April  2. 


Theme  WHAT  SHALL  / DO  IN  THIS  CANVASS? 

1.  Praise  God  for  the  blessings  of  the 
Gospel. 

2.  Consider  the  thought:  If  I were 

without  it. 

3.  Remember  that  it  is  within  my 
power  to  give  the  Gospel  to  those  without 
it. 

4.  Everything  I am  and  possess  is  a 
trust  from  God. 

5.  God’s  blessings  come  not  occasion- 
ally but  regularly. 

6.  My  giving  should  be  regular. 

7.  Decide  honestly,  what  amount  I 
ought  to  give  weekly. 

8.  Subscribe  the  weekly  amount  when 
the  canvasser  calls. 

Do  all  this  prayerfully,  thoughtfully 
and  cheerfully. 


1 Cor.  16:2  “ Upon  the  first  day  of  the  week  let 
every  one  of  you  lay  by  him  in  store,  as  God  has 
prospered  him,  that  there  be  no  gatherings  when  I 
come.” 


DEFINITE  OBJECTS  TO  PRAY  FOR  AT  BOTH 
PRAYER-MEETINGS. 

Make  provision  that  earnest  prayer  may  be  offered 
on  the  following  points  : — 

1.  For  the  divine  blessing  upon  the  Canvass. 

2.  For  the  Missionary  Committee. 

3.  For  the  Canvassers  : sufficient,  consecrated, 
informed. 

4.  For  the  congregation  in  its  relation  to  the 
Canvass. 

5.  For  the  individual  member  in  the  Canvass. 


